MANILA (November 12) — The Sandiganbayan has ordered four former officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and a private contractor to pay ₱2 million in civil liability after being found guilty of graft and estafa over “ghost” vehicle repairs worth more than ₱82 million two decades ago.
In a 31-page resolution promulgated on Nov. 5, the anti-graft court’s Seventh Division granted the Office of the Ombudsman’s motion for a writ of execution to compel payment, noting there was no pending appeal to stop enforcement of its earlier ruling.
In its March 14, 2025 decision, the court convicted former DPWH assistant director Florendo Arias, accountant Rogelio Beray, and supply officer Napoleon Anas, along with private contractor Janette Bugayong, owner of GK&J Auto Repairs.
The four were sentenced to up to eight years in prison for graft and 10 years for estafa through falsification, with the accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office. They were also ordered to pay ₱1.9 million to the government.
In a related case, former DPWH clerk Edgar Agbunag earlier pleaded guilty to lesser charges under Republic Act 6713 and simple estafa, serving a shorter prison term and paying ₱495,500.
The cases, filed in 2013, stemmed from fictitious repairs and spare parts purchases of DPWH service vehicles from 2000 to 2001, amounting to ₱82.322 million.
